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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Severo encounter at the entrance to his home?

2. What happens when Josefa is ill?

3. Why has Jaime come to Sant Clara?

4. What is one problem about Amara as far as the nuns are concerned?

5. What is the greatest task ever asked of the nuns at Sant Clara?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Palinor tell Beneditx about his view of the truth?

2. What does Severo think about as he falls asleep the first night of visiting Palinor and Beneditx?

3. What do Severo and Beneditx debate about and what are each of their views?

4. How is Amara doing now and what does she gain by it?

5. What happens when Dolca comes into Palinor's room on an errand?

6. What did Joffre ask Palinor and what was his reply?

7. Who rescues Palinor and how did they do it?

8. What about Gaspar and his life does Severo think of while he is riding to see Palinor?

9. What do the nuns decide to do with Amara first and how do they do it?

10. What does Severo decide to do with the wolf girl?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Taddeo and Margalida break no laws, their heartless treatment of Josefa brings up questions of what is the true nature of Christian love, especially between a parent and a child.

1. Explain why you agree or disagree with the statement above.

2. Do you think just because someone claims to be religious it automatically makes them a good person? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Taddeo and Margalida's treatment of Josefa is abusive? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

This chapter elaborates on some of the primary religious questions raised in the novel. Palinor believes he arrived on the island by accident, while Severo and Beneditx believe his presence must have a godly purpose.

1. Do you think Palinor arrived at the island by accident? Why or why not?

2. Why do you think Severo and Beneditx want to persuade Palinor his coming was no accident?

3. If Palinor is burned at the stake for his lack of belief, would that change your answer to the first two questions? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The fiery scene that Palinor encounters, as he enters Ciudad, represents Palinor's fear of dying by fire, and his fate in hell that religious leaders believe awaits unrepentant heretics. Fire is the one connection that Palinor shares with his religious adversaries and the only thing Palinor seems to be afraid of.

1. Discuss the symbolism surrounding the scene when Palinor rides into Ciudad.

2. Discuss in detail what kind of man do you think Fra Murta is that he would have the people out on the streets with torches for Palinor to see.

3. Why is Palinor's fear of dying by fire reasonable?

(see the answer keys)

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